Prologue - Jade

I must be out of my mind.

There’s no other explanation for why I’m standing in the middle of nowhere, waiting for him. Damien Lucas—my brother’s best friend, my biggest tormentor, and the guy who made it his life’s mission to remind me that I’ll never be good enough. And yet, here I am, pacing back and forth like a fool, hoping that this time will be different.

Who am I kidding?

My stomach churns more with every step I take, and I’m holding my coffee cup like it’s the only thing tethering me to the earth. Damien Lucas. Starfire Hollow’s alpha-in-training, all-around jerk… and possibly my mate.

Not that he knows that, of course. Hell, I barely believe it myself most days. The universe has a twisted sense of humor, pairing me—a shiftless, awkward outcast—with the one person who has spent years making me feel like dirt. Unfortunately for me, females tend to sense the fated pairing long before males, so I’ve kept this dirty little secret to myself for years, just dreading the day he figures it out, too.

Oh, God. That’s not why he wanted to meet me, is it?

I stop pacing long enough to glance at my phone, checking the time. Five minutes until he’s supposed to show up. Knowing him, he’ll be late just to make me sweat. Because that’s Damien. Always in control, always making me feel like I’m two steps behind.

I let out a sigh and stare at the trees around me. Why did I agree to this? Oh, right. Because I’m an idiot with a massive crush on a guy who probably doesn’t even remember I exist, unless it’s to laugh at me.

It’s not like I haven’t had years to get over him. He’s made it real easy, too, what with the constant jabs about my weight or how I’d never make it as a shifter. But there’s always been something about him that has kept me infatuated, no matter how hard I try to convince myself to get a clue.

His confidence. His power. That damn smirk that’s both infuriating and—okay, fine—a little hot. Not that I’d ever admit that out loud.

I take a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. Maybe this is a mistake. Maybe I should leave before he gets here and avoid the inevitable disaster that’s bound to happen.

But I stay put.

Something inside me won’t let me leave. Despite everything, there’s this stupid part of me that thinks maybe, just maybe, there’s more to Damien than the arrogant alpha-to-be I’ve always known.

God, I really am an idiot.

I glance over my shoulder at the empty path. No sign of him yet. Maybe he’s standing me up, which, honestly, would be a blessing. But I know better. Damien’s not the type to miss an opportunity to mess with me. I’m willing to bet that’s the real reason he asked me to meet him here, in the middle of the woods. He’s probably going to sneak up on me out of nowhere just to get a rise out of me.

And yeah, maybe I’m the one who asked for this. I’ve been the one who’s been in love with him for as long as I can remember.

Love. Ha. That’s a strong word for what this is—this sick, twisted obsession I’ve never been able to get over. I hate him. I do. But that doesn’t stop my heart from pounding every time I think about him, doesn’t stop the ridiculous hope that there’s a reason I feel this way. That maybe fate isn’t just screwing with me.

A twig snaps behind me, and I whip around. But it’s nothing. Just the wind. I roll my eyes at myself. Get it together, Jade . It’s just Damien. The same guy who made sure I never forgot I was different—too fat, too awkward, too weak.

I rub my hands down my jeans, wiping away the sweat from my palms. Maybe I should just call Alec and bail. Tell my brother I’ve come down with a sudden case of sanity. But then what? I’ll still have to face Damien eventually. He’s always around, always in the background, reminding me of everything I’m not.

I wonder if Alec has always known how much Damien affects me. Probably not. Alec sees Damien as this great leader, his best friend, the future alpha who can do no wrong. He doesn’t know about the things Damien said about me behind his back, the way he made me feel like I didn’t belong in my own skin.

I groan, rubbing my temples. “This is such a bad idea.”

But I don’t move. I’m glued to the spot, waiting for Damien to show up and either prove me right or… I don’t know. I haven’t figured out the second part yet. The trees around me rustle, and I glance up, half-expecting to see him striding toward me with that stupid cocky grin. Nothing.

Good. Maybe I have time to talk myself out of this disaster before it happens. But who am I kidding? The second Damien shows up, I’ll freeze, just like always. I’ll let him walk all over me with that stupid smirk of his, and I’ll still want him. Pathetic.

I shake my head, trying to force the thoughts away. I should be stronger than this. I should have gotten over him years ago. He’s not even that great. He’s just… okay, fine, he’s gorgeous. Tall, built like he was made to be in charge, with messy black hair and arms that could crush me if he held me too tight. He’s all muscles and dominance, and now that he’s thirty, it’s only getting worse. He’s a walking wet dream. And those eyes—ugh. Don’t get me started on his eyes. They’re like a storm cloud, gray and intense, and they make me feel like I’m being pulled under every time he looks at me.

No. I’m not doing this. I’m not getting caught up in Damien Lucas: The Fantasy when I know the reality is a thousand times worse. I should leave before this blows up in my face.

But I don’t. Because some part of me—the stupid, hopeless part that’s apparently in control right now—still thinks there’s a chance. That maybe this time, things will be different.

Just as I’m about to give myself one last mental pep talk, I hear the sound of footsteps. My heart lurches into my throat, and I straighten up, bracing myself.

Here we go.

I force myself to take a deep breath, but it doesn’t help. I know it’s him before I even see him—that heavy, confident stride, like he owns the ground he walks on. Typical Damien.

And then there he is, stepping into the field in front of me like some kind of untouchable force of nature. The moonlight catches in his eyes, and they flash silver as they fix on me, making it impossible to look away.

“Hey.” His voice is low and almost… soft?

Wait, what?

I blink, trying to make sense of this. Damien Lucas does not do soft. This is the guy who once told me I should “stay out of sight” because I was wearing “too much yellow” to handle. But right now, he looks almost hesitant, like he’s not entirely sure how to approach me.

“Uh, hey,” I manage, though my voice comes out all weird and shaky.

He steps closer, and for the first time in… well, ever, I see something different in his eyes. Regret? No. That can’t be right. Not Damien.

But then he says something that makes my stomach drop. “Jade, I owe you an apology.”

I must have heard that wrong. “What?”

He runs a hand through his hair, looking… uncomfortable? “Back in high school. I treated you like crap. Worse than crap, actually. I was a total asshole to you.”

I just stare at him, waiting for the punchline, because this has to be some kind of joke, right? Damien Lucas doesn’t apologize. He doesn’t even acknowledge that what he did was wrong.

“And I’m sorry,” he adds. “I never should’ve done that. I know I hurt you.”

My brain short-circuits. Is this really happening? Is Damien Lucas standing in front of me, apologizing for years of torment?

I swallow hard, trying to find my voice. “Why are you saying this now?”

“Because I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. You didn’t deserve any of it, Jade. I’m sorry.”

There’s a sincerity in his voice that throws me completely off-guard. I expected him to be the same arrogant jerk he’s always been, but this? I don’t know what to do with this.

I search his face for any sign of the Damien I know, the one who made my life a living hell. But all I see is regret. Genuine, honest-to-God regret.

My heart does this stupid little flip in my chest, and I hate it. I hate that he can still get to me like this, even after everything. But there’s something about the way he’s looking at me right now, something that makes me want to believe him.

“I don’t know what to say,” I admit.

“You don’t have to say anything. I just… I needed to tell you. I’ve changed, Jade. I’m not the same guy I was back then.”

He inches closer still, and suddenly, he’s right in front of me. He reaches out and brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, and all the breath whooshes from my lungs. His touch is so gentle, so unlike the Damien I remember.

“I’m not the guy who hurt you anymore,” he murmurs. “I swear.”

I should pull away. I should. But instead, I lean into his touch. His hand slides down to cup my cheek, and I close my eyes, letting the warmth of his skin seep into mine. It’s been so long since anyone’s touched me like this, so long since I’ve felt anything but pain when it comes to Damien.

“I never stopped thinking about you,” he whispers. “You’re different, Jade. Special.”

My eyes flutter open, and for a moment, I forget about everything else. I forget about the years of hurt, the insults, the jokes. All I can focus on is the way his thumb brushes against my cheek, the way his voice wraps around me like a soft blanket.

“I don’t want to hurt you again. I want to make it right.”

And just like that, I’m lost. Whatever walls I’ve spent years building up come crashing down, and before I can stop myself, I close the distance between us.

Our lips meet in a soft, tentative kiss, and I swear the world tilts on its axis. He pulls me closer, wrapping his arms around me as the kiss deepens, and suddenly I’m not thinking anymore. I’m feeling. Every touch, every breath, every beat of my heart is for him.

I know I should stop. I know this is dangerous. But right now, I don’t care. I’ve spent years dreaming about this moment, and now that it’s here, nothing else matters.

All I want is Damien.

And that’s why when he slides his hands down to squeeze my ass, I moan into his mouth and kiss him back harder. I can’t stop. Not when he’s holding me like this, not when he’s making me feel so damn good.

This is what I’ve always wanted. This is what I’ve been dreaming of for years. And finally, it’s happening.

We break apart for a second, both of us breathing hard, and then he grabs the back of my head and kisses me again, hungrier than before. There’s something desperate in the way he’s holding me, like he can’t get enough, and it’s driving me crazy.

“Damien,” I gasp.

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he lifts me up, and before I know it, my legs are wrapped around his waist. He is hard against me, and I can feel how big he is even through our clothes.

He carries me to the edge of the forest, where the shadows are deep and the light is dim, and presses me up against a tree. His hands are all over me, roaming down my body, gripping my hips, exploring every inch of skin. And I let him.

I let him because it’s all I’ve ever wanted.

Damien

I didn’t expect her to feel this good.

From the second my hand brushed against Jade’s skin, something in me shifted. Her skin was soft, warm, and it sent this electric shock through my body, waking up every nerve like I’d never felt anything before.

I didn’t expect to want to hold her, to kiss her. I didn’t expect to actually enjoy it. This was supposed to be a quick thing—get in, get out, and be done with the stupid bet. But now? Now I feel like the world’s biggest asshole.

I glance over at her as she stirs beside me in the tall grass, and I’m hit with a wave of guilt so strong, it almost knocks the air out of my lungs. What the hell have I done? This wasn’t supposed to happen like this. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything for her.

But I do. And that’s a problem.

This whole thing started as a joke. A drunken, careless joke. The guys were laughing, throwing out bets and challenges, and I was too stupid and proud to back down. They dared me to take the pack outcast’s virginity—to take Jade’s virginity. For fun. And because I’m Damien Lucas—future alpha, king of pride and arrogance—I didn’t say no. Instead, I laughed along with them and agreed. Because backing out? That would’ve been weak. And I’m anything but weak.

At least, that’s what I keep telling myself. But right now, I feel like the weakest piece of shit on earth.

I drag my hand through my hair, staring down at the floor as the memories of that night flood back. We were all at the bar, a few too many shots deep, and the conversation turned to girls. One of the guys—Jeremy, I think—brought up Jade, saying how she was always hanging around, still the awkward outcast she’d been in school. And someone else, probably Trevor, made the bet: take her to bed. Prove you can do it.

The worst part? I didn’t even hesitate. I agreed, thinking it would be easy, like everything else in my life. Because for me, things are easy. I get what I want, when I want it, and I don’t stop to think about the consequences.

But right now? Lying here beside her, the weight of what I’ve done is crushing me.

Jade’s chestnut hair falls over her face, covering one of her brown eyes, and for a moment, I just stare at her. Her curvy body presses into the soil beneath her, soft and pliant. She looks like an angel, peaceful and serene. I have no idea how she got to twenty-six without someone having claimed her. She’s so unbelievably gorgeous, even in the muted light of the rising sun. If she wasn’t my best friend’s sister, I’d have done this ages ago.

Oh, shit. Alec isn’t going to be happy about this. Not at all. He’s been protective of Jade ever since we were kids, and there’s no way he’s going to let me get away with hurting her.

I guess in the grand scheme of things, there’s not much he can do about it. I am the alpha-in-training. Being alpha-in-training has always meant keeping this mask of invulnerability—always being the hardest, always the one who didn’t let things get to him. It’s not just expected; it’s required. I had to be tough. Had to make the hard decisions. Had to be cold, ruthless, the kind of leader that nothing could break. And the longer I’ve worn that mask, the more it’s felt like it’s not a mask at all. Like maybe I really am that hard-hearted bastard the pack needs me to be.

But that doesn’t mean I’m looking forward to him finding out.

I shouldn’t have done this. I should’ve backed out. But I didn’t, and now there’s no undoing it.

I stare at the blue sky above me as the guilt chews at my conscience. I thought I could just get it over with, prove myself to the guys and move on. But the moment I touched her, it all changed. And now I’m stuck here, wondering how the hell I let things get this far.

It’s not just about the bet anymore. It’s about the fact that I’ve spent so long pretending to be someone who doesn’t care—pretending to be the guy who could do something like this and feel nothing. And now I’m starting to wonder if the act has actually turned me into that guy. The one who’s heartless, who sees people as pawns or conquests, who doesn’t let himself feel anything real.

My wolf stirs inside me, restless and agitated. He knows something’s wrong, too. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be. I thought it was just the usual lust, the typical alpha instinct to claim what’s mine. But this is different. This is something more, something I don’t fully understand. And it’s pissing me off.

I glance at my phone, where a string of texts from the guys are waiting for me. They’re probably wondering if I’ve sealed the deal yet, eager to hear the details of how I bagged the pack’s outcast. My stomach turns, and I shove the phone away. I can’t deal with them right now. Not when I’m lying here, drowning in guilt.

Jade turns toward me with a soft, sleepy smile on her face. Dammit, she looks so happy. Like she doesn’t have a clue what’s really going on. Like she has no idea that the whole reason I’m here is because of a stupid bet.

“You okay?” she asks as she rubs my arm.

No. I’m not okay. None of this is okay.

“Yeah,” I lie, forcing the word out. “I’m fine.”

But I’m not fine. I’m a mess. I’m lying here next to the girl I’ve spent years tormenting, the girl I never gave a second thought to until last night, and I can’t stop thinking about how wrong this is. How wrong I am. Because the truth is, Jade’s not the girl who deserves to be treated this way. She’s better. Stronger. More than I deserve.

It’s not just that I lied to her. It’s that I’ve been lying to myself for so long—telling myself I’m not capable of this kind of betrayal, of using someone like her for a cheap thrill. But here I am, acting like the monster I never wanted to become.

She sits up a little, feeling around for her shirt to get dressed. My throat tightens, and I force myself to look away. I need to get this over with. I need to end this before it goes any further.

“Damien,” she whispers, her voice full of uncertainty. “Was this… was this a mistake?”

I should say yes. I should tell her the truth—that this was all a stupid bet, that I never meant for it to go this far, that I don’t deserve her trust. But instead, I reach out and cup her cheek.

“No. It wasn’t a mistake.”

And it’s not. At least, not the way she thinks it is. Because somewhere along the line, this stopped being about the bet. It stopped being about proving myself to the guys. Now, it’s about her. It’s about Jade, and the way she makes me feel like maybe I’m not the monster I’ve always thought I was.

She smiles at me, and it’s the kind of smile that makes my chest ache. I’m not supposed to feel this way about her. I’m not supposed to feel anything.

I lean in, kissing her softly, and for a moment, I let myself get lost in it. I let myself believe that this could be something real. But before I can even process what’s happening, the air around us shifts.

It’s subtle at first—just a faint hum, like static electricity building in the air. But then it gets stronger, and suddenly, it feels like the whole room is vibrating.

I pull back, frowning as I look around. What the hell is going on?

“Something’s wrong,” Jade comments, glancing at her hands.

Before I can respond, the clearing explodes with light. Not literally, but that’s what it feels like—like this surge of energy is bursting out of her, filling the space with a blinding, pulsing glow. I stumble back, and my heart races as I try to figure out what the hell is happening.

And then I see her.

Jade is glowing. Her entire body is lit up with this strange, pale light, and her eyes… Her eyes are glowing, too. Not the warm russet I’ve always known, but something else. Something powerful.

“What the fuck?” I mutter, backing away. “What’s happening?”

Jade shakes her head, tears welling up in her eyes. “I don’t know. I don’t understand.”

But I do. Or at least, I think I do.

There’s only one thing that could cause this kind of reaction. Magic. Real, dangerous magic. And if that’s the case… if Jade has magic in her, then she’s not just a shifter. She’s something else. Something more.

“You’re…” I say. “You’re a witch.”

She flinches like I’ve slapped her, but I can’t help it. Witches aren’t allowed in our pack. They never have been. They’re dangerous. Unpredictable. And if Jade’s one of them… if she’s been hiding this all along…

“I didn’t know,” she whispers, her voice shaking. “I swear, Damien, I didn’t know.”

But I barely hear her. All I can think about is the trouble this is going to cause. The neighboring pack’s territory was burned last week, and there were rumors that it was caused by magic. If the pack finds out Jade’s a witch… if they think she’s responsible for what happened…

I’m screwed. We’re both screwed.

I jump to my feet and start climbing into my clothes. This wasn’t supposed to be anything more than a bet. But now I’m tied to her in a way I never expected, and there’s no going back.

“I… I have to go. I need to figure this out.”

Jade stares at me, and those brown eyes are full of confusion and fear. “Damien, please…”

But I can’t stay. I can’t deal with this right now. I need to get out of here before she loses control entirely.

Without another word, I break into a sprint, leaving her behind.

I thought I could play a game with her, but I didn’t realize how dangerous that game was. I didn’t realize that by getting close to her, I was opening up something far bigger than I could handle.

But the real problem? The pack will never accept her. Not now. Not after this. And if they find out about the magic—if they find out I’m tied to her—it won’t just be her life on the line. It’ll be mine, too.

If I don’t tell them what I know.

I head straight to my father’s house. He’s the current alpha, and he needs to know what’s going on. As much as I hate the idea of turning Jade in, I have no choice. If I don’t act fast, this could spiral out of control.

My father listens in silence as I tell him everything—about Jade, the magic, the glowing light. His expression doesn’t change, but I know what he’s thinking. He’s been around long enough to know that witches bring trouble. And Jade… she’s no exception.

“We have no choice,” he says finally. “She has to go. The pack will never accept her now.”

My stomach twists. I knew this was coming, but hearing it out loud makes it real. Jade is being banished.

“Is that really necessary?” I ask, even though I know it is. “Can’t we just… help her?”

“Banishing her will keep the peace,” my father says, his tone final. “It’s the only way.”

I nod, even though every part of me wants to scream. This is how it has to be. Jade has to go, or the pack will never be safe.

But as I walk out of my father’s office, I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve just made the biggest mistake of my life.